Mother Effort

It the end of a mother effort era! The girls talk about all of their favorite episodes, favorite guests and favorite moments of the past four years with the Mother Effort Podcast. 

In this episode Ilana and Beth sit down with Stay at Home Dad Frank to talk about how stay at home parenting differs when you are a guy and what parts of parenting cross gender lines and are a mother effort for us all. 

Did you carry low but end up with a girl? Have terrible heartburn during pregnancy just to end up with a hairless baby? Are you eating an apple a day to keep that doc away? Ilana and Beth join their friend Allison to talk all things Old wives' tales...and why we should or should not buy into them.

On this episode find out what it was like for Beth to give birth at the height of the pandemic one year ago. Beth finally feels ready to tell Jake's birth story, and boy is it a story!  It was scary, sad and joyful all at the same time and even full of the stereotypical movie trope birth scenes! 

Ilana and Beth sit down for a conversation about cheeto fingers and facetime babysitting, playground etiquette and how difficult it might be to properly socialize when we all emerge from this pandemic.

Ilana has a major mom fail then tells a tale of a Facebook Feed gone terribly wrong. Beth has an epiphany when it comes to the motherhood mental load. Beth also might have to sage her house...tune in and hear why!

When our babies are small, it can be natural to fantasize about a time when they become independent.  One day, you turn around and your infant is feeding themselves, sleeping out at friends and going off to college.  The struggle is real for Ilana so she calls on friend Amanda Fries for advice on what to expect and how to stay relevant as a parent of "big kids".

A blow out or glitter, which would you rather clean up? Beth gives an update on the sleep situation and then they girls go 13 rounds in Ilana's “Would You Rather" Mom Edition game.   

I've got 99 problems...and pooping, sleeping and bra wearing are some!  This week Beth tells Ilana all about the issues going on in her house in the last 10 months.  Spoiler alert, the potty is not our friend and another bed change is needed! Ilana gives some much needed support and advice to help Beth, and all of you, feel less alone through these trying times!

Are we hopeful for the future? Absolutely! However, after 10 months off from recording and living through a pandemic we needed 40 minutes to vent!  Catch up with us and see how the remainder of our 2020 was!

What has it been like to be pregnant or anxious during an epidemic?  Ilana and Beth discuss how life has changed and a few positive outcomes from this whole awful situation we are all living through. 

In these uncertain times most of us are overwhelmed, experiencing stress, anxiety and even sadness.  Ilana and Beth talk to Maryland based Psychologist Dr. Melissa Lean about how to cope with the anxiety and decompress, ways to deal with social media, dealing with friends and family during this stressful time and more. Dr. Lean also gives some great insight on how to find help virtually during this time if you need to reach out and talk to someone.  We hope this episode gives you some comfort and some tangible steps to help you get through this difficult time. 

The entire country is shutting down one town and city at a time and most of us are now shifting into a new normal.  Working from home, kids at home, partners at home, it's a lot!  Ilana and Beth discuss some of their fears and then more importantly they discuss what to do to combat these fears and beat the boredom at home with the kids!

This last week was a real mother effort for Beth and Ilana.  To lighten up the week Ilana creates a game show for Beth testing her knowledge of the Saturday morning cartoons of our past.  Are they still on and making new episodes, or did they die out back in the 80s and 90s?  Beth goes head to head with a VERY special surprise guest!  Tune in to see who wins and find out which cartoons you can still watch, with or without your kids!

As Beth hits the single digits of weeks left on her pregnancy Ilana offers some advice for any mom adding to her brood.  What can you expect when the motto of motherhood is really to expect anything and nothing at the same time?

Sleeping strange, in your babyhood, who you gonna call? Lolo Lullaby!  Today the girls call in the professional when it comes to everything sleep training related! From what to do with an infant who won't nap, a "defiant climbing out of their crib" toddler, travel, and the 5 year old who has developed a bad sleep habit that needs to be broken before your sanity is. Lauren Wolf from Lolo Lullaby talks about it all and more on this episode! Connect with Lauren: www.lololullaby.com instagram @lololullaby facebook: @lololullaby

Beth has hit some snags with her childcare in the last week and needs to make a lot of decisions for her future family of four.  In order to lighten the mood, Ilana gets the inside scoop on middle school and quizzes Beth on her knowledge of today's teen slang. 

Ilana asks Beth if she is buying into and following all the pregnancy myths and rules.   Find out Beth’s secret weapon when experiencing a head cold while pregnant and what foods she is and isn’t eating.

Ilana celebrates her 5 year anniversary of being a stay at home mom, something she never anticipated.  Whether you are a stay at home mom or a working mom, raising kids is a mother effer!  Ilana and Beth discuss the perceptions versus the reality of being a stay at home mom as well as the good and the not so good moments that Ilana wouldn't trade in a million years!

What do you get when you cross a mom with two kids, a dog, a spouse and impending meal time?  Hopefully something edible!  When your a mom time to cook a meal is all but non-existent so the girls discuss some hacks to keep your pantry fully stocked in order to make a meal in a pinch.  They also discuss how to save time using the Instant Pot, an airfryer, make ahead meals and one pot meals when little ones are hungry and also trying to open a hot oven!

After a hiatus due to the day to day chaos of living with littles the mother effort girls are back! It has been a whirlwind of a month, Beth and Ilana discuss how "back to school season" has been going and how Beth is handling being back at work full time.  Doctor's trips for all!  Beth also makes an exciting announcement that shocks Ilana! 

Ilana reaches out to her facebook mom group to figure out how to deal with the anxiety of sending her child to kindergarten for the first time! Beth shares her fears about going back to school and being   a mom and how to juggle these two careers with only enough time to do one full time. The girls wrap up the episode by sharing the best moments of their summer.  Happy Fall Everyone!

What is it like when your family of three becomes a family of four?  How do you even make the decision to bring another baby into the mix?  Beth and Ilana sit down to discuss growing your family with Ilana's friend Kari, a newly minted mom of two!

Summer has been a ton of fun, but it is time for Beth to face reality.  What is it like to go back to work full time after staying at home with your baby?  Ilana and Beth discuss a few things that will make the transition easier to handle for both baby and mom!  This episode also has the first ever Mother Effort Giveaway! Listen to find out how you can be the winner of Beth's favorite baby products from Lil' Sidekick!  Instagram: lil.sidekick 

A lot goes on in the brain of a mom each day.  Beth and Ilana discuss the topic of “mental load” and why it seems Mother’s carry the majority of it, making us very tired.  We explore ways in which to share and lighten the mental load.  

Who wants to go to the beach? The beach is not the same type of fun that it was before kids, but Ilana is here to save the day and make your beach trip a breeze!  After a short hiatus Ilana and Beth return to give you some beach hacks for Independence Day and the rest of the summer!   

Ilana is able to handle her first kindergarten event pretty well until Ezra can’t.   Beth searches for a wine sponsor to send her wine in bulk due to her taxing, yet exciting week with Max. Beth and Ilana discuss what goes into planning birthday parties and the mom hacks that make it easier to plan and how to make it fun for the adults that are “obligated” to come.

Max gets his first teeth while robo-husband is away on business.  Ilana comes to the realization that we are now at the age that our bodies are beginning to break down so she decides to make some changes in her life that include P90x and starting her own graphic design company...you know all while also being a full time mom.  Beth struggles to find a balance between teaching online and nursing Max. 

We need a drink…oh, for the kids, but yeah we need a drink too! Ilana and Beth talk about the perils of parenting when it comes to public restrooms.  The girls also talk sippy cups!  Find out what are the top 5 sippy cups on Ilana’s list and why?  (Links Coming Soon!) #5 Munchkin Clip Lock Sippy Cup #4 CamelBak Eddy Kids 12oz Water Bottle #3 The First Years Take and Toss Spill Proof Sippy Cups #2 The Munchkin Miracle 360          The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer (for the littler ones!) #1 Munchkin  The click lock bite proof sippy cup Bonus cup:  the new  tiny   EZPZ cup for those BLW kids!   

It's April, we survived the cold, but how exactly did we survive?  Ilana talks to Beth about some fun indoor activities to beat the boredom when the weather is bad.  Ilana take a running record of her day to see what she actually does all day and Beth talks about her mini  return to work and her childcare plans for the upcoming school year.

Incorporating a pet into the family can be both exciting and challenging!  Jaime joins us on this week’s podcast to talk about how to set your family up for success! Follow Jaime on instagram @bizzyizzyandtheted and follow the wonderful rescue that Jaime volunteers for on instagram as well @apathwaytohope

It’s time to talk baby proofing because Beth’s son is semi-mobile and addicted to touching surge protectors!   Ilana shares her favorite products and a few fails along the way she has learned from.   *product links coming soon...

If it's time to go back to work, or whatever reason you might want to start your childcare search, a lot of questions will come up.  Should I socialize my kid in daycare? Can I afford a nanny?  Did I get on the waitlist for daycare early enough...like when my baby was in the womb?  The girls invite their friend Erika on to the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations of the childcare search. 

We’re back!! A lot of “shit” has happened to Ilana since last year…literally.  Kelly Gollat joins the Mother Effort girls to talk about Baby Led Weaning, the process of allowing babies to feed themselves.  We’re talking about how to help your baby through this process and sharing resources to help take the fear out of it. Follow Kelly @kellygollat to see her Emma Eats stories and @sewadorablemd to check out her amazing business! Resources: Avancy Silicone Suction Plates and Bowls  Feeding Littles Instagram: @feedinglittles (check out their BLW course!) Naptime Kitchen Instagram: @naptimekitchen

In their final episode for 2018, Ilana and Beth go to Dewey Beach Delaware for a girls vacation, but Beth juggles girl time with pumping and teaching online courses!  Ilana marvels at the wonders of pumping and learns a nursing mom is never really truly “hands free”.  Ilana hosts a white elephant party with her friends (FKA “mom friends”) and has everyone write down their New Year's goal and she gets some great results that we can all relate to!

Exercising while pregnant? Sure. Exercising after childbirth? Well, not as easy at it sounds. Beth’s friend Lauren comes on to talk about running  and exercise during pregnancy, post-natal recovery and exercising with babies. The girls also discuss what is essential to make working out easier physically and logistically. Links to products we talked about on the show: (Although these are affiliate links, we do love the products for real)  Double Bob Moving Comfort Sports Bra Nathan Running Water Bottle

Beth and Ilana discuss vacationing without the kids and mom guilt. Beth calls out c-section shaming and hopefully relieves some mom’s mom guilt.  Moral of the story, stay at home moms, working moms, whatever mom you are, you are awesome! (Dad's you are okay too!)

Max starts solids which means that Beth has a solid two weeks of "Mom Learns", formally known as Mom Fails!  Ilana and Beth talk about starting solids, their favorite feeding products and how Beth stupidly thought eating veggies would curtail Max's constant nursing.  The girls talk about what they are thankful for and how they are both nuts for deciding to host Thanksgiving with babies!   Links to the Products we Legit Love! (Full disclosure: although they are affiliate links we are not sponsored!) Aden and Anais Burpy Bibs Inglesina Fast Table Chair (great if you are short on space or want a portable option when out and about!) Baby Bjorn Soft Bib Avanchy Suction Cup Plate and Spoon  Avanchy Spoons

Sleep, the real currency of motherhood.  Ilana isn’t getting any at night and Beth isn’t getting any during the day.  Ilana discusses what she believes to be the tried and true sleep training methods she has recently used on her second and challenges Beth to try one before the next episode!  (disclaimer: Beth's mic is broken and Max decides to play with her temporary mic, sorry about the less than stellar sound!)

Beth asks Ilana what halloween is like as a mom as she is excited to now be able to finally legitimately trick or treat again. Ilana will be the trick or treat house that will be talked about for years and Beth and her husband drop the ball on halloween costumes…which is SO not like them! The girls talk about human costumes, dog costumes, and what to do with all of that candy that doesn’t fit into your diet plan. links:   Halloween Buyback Program   You've Been Booed   Teal Pumpkin Project 

Ilana tackles the very important, not often talked about, personal topic of postpartum depression.  Through Ilana's story the girls talk about signs, the stigma of the word depression, the baby blues and what to do if you think you have postpartum.  Links: TalkSpace  

Max nap’s…but technical difficulties plague the girls.  Beth talks about her new youtube obsession Shane Dawson and wonders if she is being affected by SAHM brain.  Ilana talks about the problematic scene in Peter Rabbit and her new allergies.  Ilana also freaks out about impending end of the world in 2030.  Is the current state of our world causing people to think twice about having kids? 

Ilana has a conversation with her mom about the 80s and realizes that parenting is a lot different now! What crazy things did our parents think were normal back in the day?  Max continues his nap strike and joins on the podcast as a guest host with a lot to say!

Max is still on a  nap boycott and Beth is starting to lose it.  Ilana and Beth talk about forgiveness and how to avoid buying counterfeit items on Amazon. links:  https://www.huckleberrysleep.com/  

Ilana's son blocks his grandmother's phone calls and Beth's son decides at 3 months he no longer needs to nap during the day.  The girls discuss moving, dieting and mom guilt and how all three are truly a mother effort! P.S. we can ALL make chicken fingers ourselves, but maybe we don't want to!

LUCKY NUMBER 13!!  Beth talks about the journey of breast feeding and how she hates when her husband uses that term.  The girls discuss shark cannibalism and how Ilana might be related to Joaquin Phoenix.   Outro Credit(Don't hate us!): Baby Shark: Pinkfong! 

What do Kourtney Kardashian, bachelorette contests and Ilana have in common?  Vocal fry!  Ilana finds out that we have some very unique fans and determines how this can be beneficial for her and Beth breaks a new rule about 2 hours after setting it! Ilana meets a very angry caterpillar, dodges buying "hooker" shoes and Beth discusses the beginning of her new journey in life.  

After having a few episodes without an “end of podcast” question Ilana challenges Beth to spend an entire podcast asking her questions! Ilana’s kids have some major milestones and the girls briefly discuss who should be allowed in the delivery room.

Beth: …enjoy your vacation Ilana: Traveling with kids Beth: Okay, I guess “enjoy” and “vacation” are relative terms then! Motherhood: when vacations become a full time job!  Ilana discusses her two most recent vacations, which were anything but relaxing and Beth ends the stressful venture of finding a new apartment!

The title says it all!  Ilana wears Spanx to a playdate and discusses a recent Target trip where she finds out she is out of diapers!   Meanwhile, Beth is amazed that she is usually able to get in and get out without buying anything else! Ilana and Beth also discuss how gender disappointment is real and is OK.